Abstract: The present invention comprises a kit. The kit provides the ability to transfer a drawing to an object and to provide color and/or shading in the transferred drawing. A first sheet is provided having a first side and a second side, the first side including a drawing which is comprised of a plurality of regions. The kit also typically includes a second sheet comprised of a means for transferring a drawing. The kit further includes a tangible medium on which information indicative of the color or shading of the regions is fixed. The means for transferring a drawing is typically comprised of carbon. A instrument is preferably provided for rubbing over the first side of the first sheet to cause a portion of the drawing to transfer to the surface of an object. The first sheet and second sheets are preferably mural length.

Abstract: The Optrix Effect utilizes mathematics in the field of optics to create a three-dimensional movement effect of “sill” images such as faces, products and objects on signs, billboards, light-boxes and many other mediums.

Abstract: An instructional crochet apparatus for crocheting a pre-determined design comprises a grid having a plurality of grid blocks arranged and configured in substantially aligned rows and columns. Each alternating row of the grid is off-set from each other row such that each alternating row is substantially aligned with each other. Color indicators disposed on the grid are arranged and configured to define the pre-determined design. Stitch guides comprise crochet stitch directions. Each grid block substantially corresponds to a crochet stitch and the pre-determined design is created in crochet by crochet stitching performed in accordance with the color indicators and the stitch guides.

Abstract: An electronic educational device for entertaining and educating a preschooler, in particular. The electronic educational device includes a housing assembly including a tubular housing having a top end and a bottom end; and also includes a turntable drive assembly including a spindle being rotatably disposed through the top end of the tubular housing; and further includes a turntable member being mounted upon the spindle; and also includes at least one disk member being removably disposed about the turntable member and having pictures displayed thereupon; and further includes an audio system for describing the pictures displayed upon the at least one disk member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new and useful learning system. A computer-based system permits a user to create and manipulate basic elements within an environment. The system then represents relationships within the environment. The system and user cooperate to provide a learning opportunity for the user. As the user makes or reviews changes of basic elements, he or she can learn how different aspects of an element affect the overall interactions. Two specific embodiments are disclosed. In a first embodiment, the system is used for exploring geometric patterns. The basic elements are tiles which are formed and manipulated through operations of geometric symmetry. The tiles can be combined into different repeating patterns. Multiple tiles can be used within a pattern. Also, new tiles can be created from portions of the pattern. Thus through simple interactions using basic operations and simple parts, complex effects emerge. In other embodiments, the system is used for exploring sociodynamics.

Abstract: A child's 3D amusement book is created by forming at least two holes through the book and threading a string therethrough, or otherwise offixing a cord to opposing pages of a book or card. Parallel string segments are coordinated with drawings on the inner pages to create 3D and/or moving images.

Abstract: A method of creating vivid life-like paintings using a clear or translucent canvas is provided. The method includes placing the canvas atop an image to be reproduced and tracing outline and highlight colors from the image onto the front side of the canvas. The canvas is then turned over and field colors and background colors are applied to the back side of the canvas. As a final step, a clear coating can be applied to the front side of the canvas. The result is a surprisingly vivid and life-like rendering of the image when the canvas is viewed from its front side. The rendering results from the combination of outlines and highlights on the front of the canvas and field and background colors visible through the canvas from the back side thereof, all enhanced by the clear coating.

Abstract: A coloring book with removable vinyl sheets that can be placed over picture templates is described. The user can then color on the vinyl and transport the art to a display position, for example, on a window, or refrigerator door. The vinyl has inherent static cling properties that adhere the drawing to the flat surface. The product also has conventional dry erase markers to use on the vinyl for coloring purposes.

Abstract: A kit for glass art in which a blank is cut from covered sheet plastic to a shape that encompasses a picture including artistic designs drawn on the covering. The artistic designs are cut out to create artistic openings through the surface of the plastic blank, each opening defined by edges having a thickness. An indentation is machined along the center of the thickness of the entire edge of each opening. Stained sheet glass is cut and ground by conventional methods to pieces which fit within matching openings in the plastic blank. The edges of the openings and stained glass pieces are foiled with foil tape and the glass pieces are soldered within their matching openings in the plastic blank with heat and melted solder. The covering of the plastic blank is removed to reveal the picture made of stained glass designs within the plastic blank of the kit.

Abstract: Sets of tessellatable elements are disclosed, in which a relatively low number of different elements may be combined together to provide very attractive tessellating patterns. The elements may be in the form of tiles, for paving or for covering flooring or walls, for example, game pieces, including television and computer games, pieces for use in maze construction and for many other applications.

Abstract: A method is provided of placing pigmented material onto a screen mesh sheet made up of screen wires having forward surfaces and defining mesh openings between the screen mesh wires and having a screen mesh sheet forward face and a screen mesh sheet rearward face, using a foam sheet formed of yieldable material and having a foam sheet forward face and a foam sheet rearward face, and using a substantially planar support surface, comprising the steps of: placing the foam sheet rearward face against the substantially planar support surface; placing the screen mesh sheet rearward face against the foam sheet forward face; applying force against at least a region of the screen mesh sheet to receive the pigmented material, in the direction of the support surface, thereby pressing the region of the screen mesh sheet into the foam sheet forward face such that foam sheet material bulges into mesh openings in the screen mesh sheet; and spraying the pigmented material onto forward surfaces of the screen wires.

Abstract: A process is provided for teaching students multiple curriculum subjects through the use of a theatrical production. A play is first selected which has been created for student performance and adapted to the grade level of the students participating. Student lesson plans are provided, including worksheets in multiple curriculum subjects. These subjects include at least two of the following: language arts, math, science, health, and history. The students are assigned speaking or non-speaking roles in the play. Sound recordings are provided which pertain to the play. These sound recordings can include a soundtrack of the script of the play serving as an aid in teaching the students the roles of the play as well as sound effects and audio bites for use during the performance of the play. Templates are provided for creating backdrops and props for the play. A portable stage is erected within a classroom environment and used in performing the play.

Abstract: A color identification and selection display for use in connection with the retail sale of custom-tinted architectural coatings and paints is based on lightness values or levels and is assembled from a plurality of take-home cards in the form of elongated strips that are placed with their longer axis in horizontal rows, each strip containing a plurality of color fields arranged in stripes separated by narrow neutral bands. Adjacent color stripes in a given row are of closely related hues that preferably decrease in wave length when moving from left to right along any given horizontal row. Since each strip contains a plurality of closely related colors, only one, or perhaps two, take-home cards need be removed to assist in the final selection of the desired color. Each horizontal row includes a family of colors formulated from a single type of base, i.e., a tint base, a pastel base, a deep base or an accent base.

Abstract: A light-drawing type display apparatus according to the present invention is formed by: a plate provided in the front side of the apparatus and having a plurality of light-transmitting small holes and standing upright; each light-cutting member is provided to each of the small holes of the plate in order to open or close each of the small holes; and a light source provided to the rear of the light-cutting members for irradiating the whole of the plate; wherein the light-cutting members are moved by using a predetermined writing means so that the light-transmitting small holes are opened, and the light from the light source is transmitted to the front side, then, characters or pictures are drawn on the plate; and wherein the light-cutting members are moved by using a predetermined erasing means so that the light-transmitting small holes are closed, and the light from the light source is cut off, then, characters or pictures are erased from the plate.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a tabulation to display a range of colors which can be reproduced with accuracy is described; which is obtained through the application of a color volume calculated based on the following expression: T=(10V)½   (I) wherein: T=the color shade in percentage (%); V=the color volume in volumetric units.

Abstract: A unique painting process and an associated kit including the materials required for practicing the method. The method includes the acts of providing a background media providing a paint source, dipping the posterior of the infant in the paint, and stamping the posterior on the background media to create stamping prints. The kit of the present invention includes a flat, flexible backing piece, at least one paint bottle attached to the backing piece, at least one reservoir attached to the backing piece, at least one painting tool attached to the backing piece, and a plastic cover having a periphery, the plastic cover positioned over the protective cover, plurality of paint bottles, plurality of reservoirs, and plurality of paint brushes, and attached around its peripheral edge to the backing piece.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an activity book designed to make reading more enjoyable and educational for young readers. The activity book of the present invention comprises at least one illustrated page with at least one opening on the page through which a moldable material such as modeling clay is forced or extruded by the reader as through a die. The moldable material is forced through the opening(s) by the reader compressing the illustrated page against an area located on a hard flat surface such as a table or another page of the book. The moldable material passing through the opening(s) completes the illustration on the page. The shape of the opening(s) compliments the illustration and facilitates the completion of the illustration when a moldable material is extruded through the opening.

Abstract: A method of creating vivid life-like paintings using a clear or translucent canvas is provided. The method includes placing the canvas atop an image to be reproduced and tracing outline and highlight colors from the image onto the front side of the canvas. The canvas is then turned over and field colors and background colors are applied to the back side of the canvas. As a final step, a clear coating can be applied to the front side of the canvas. The result is a surprisingly vivid and life-like rendering of the image when the canvas is viewed from its front side. The rendering results from the combination of outlines and highlights on the front of the canvas and field and background colors visible through the canvas from the back side thereof, all enhanced by the clear coating.

Abstract: An association game including an overall image a portion of which is in latent invisible form to be developed by a marking means to provide an identifying configuration for a visible portion movably compatible with the latent image developed portion.

Abstract: A method for making toys and toy figures from pliant rods such as pipe cleaners comprises providing an elongated member having a plurality of openings passing therethrough, the openings being arranged substantially linearly across the length of the member and configured to receive pliant rods. When one pliant rod (e.g., pipe cleaner) is thread through each one of the plurality of openings, a warp weave is defined. Pliant rods are weaved through the warp weave to create a woof weave and ultimately, a weaved piece. Once the weaved piece is formed, it can be removed from the device and then bent, twisted, and otherwise flexed to create a multiplicity of different toys drawing on the user's creativity.

Abstract: A plurality of layers of thread, each sculptured by stringing, each higher layer strung around a larger diameter opening, forming a portion of a wing, and so strung symmetrically, forming a pair of wings, and forming a butterfly sculpture.

Abstract: A method of blending a light-transmittable powder coating which is colored in at least one color and a colorless light-transmittable powder coating which is not colored, and dryblending the powder coatings, to color-match the powder coatings, capable of reproducing colors which could not be reproduced in conventional powder coatings, for example, light colors, transparent colors, or brilliant colors.

Abstract: A kit for making a hooked rug comprised of a backing made of a flexible yet stable material with offset, intermittent holes, a hook with a handle, embroidery needle, yarn, diagrams and written instructions, all of which are packed in a bag or box. The invention also discloses a method of making a hooked rug comprised of filling in each backing hole following a chart or a pattern drawn or stamped on the backing and using a continuous length of yarn drawn through the offset intermittent holes to provide the effect of a hooked rug random looping.

Abstract: A device for determining aesthetically harmonious color combinations includes a color selector wheel rotatably attached to a base having a plurality of distinct color selection groups disposed beyond and surrounding the periphery of the color selection wheel. Each color group section forms a window through which samples can be viewed. The color selector wheel has color selection indicia in the form of at least one symmetrical geometric symbol centered on the face of the color selector wheel. The indicia each have a primary vertex and a plurality of secondary vertices disposed adjacent to the periphery of the color selector wheel such that alignment of the primary vertex with a selected color selection group automatically aligns the secondary vertices with harmonious color combination selection groups and allows the user to develop progressive color coordinating combinations.

Abstract: A visual puzzle toy, for example, a coloring book 14 is provided with a substantially planar surface having a morphologically distorted representation 10 of an image printed thereon. The image 10 is distorted by circular transformation and must be viewed in a reflective surface provided on the outer circumference of a substantially cylindrical object in order to clearly distinguish the original image. The reflective surface may be provided on a cylindrical tumbler 22 for holding pencils, pens and paintbrushes for coloring in the morphologically distorted representation 10. The morphological distortion of the image introduces an element of mystery and intrigue which enhances the play value of the coloring book. The morphologically distorted representation can also be printed on a placemat or a jigsaw puzzle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new and useful learning system. A compr-based system permits a user to create and manipulate basic elements within an environment. The system then represents relationships within the environment. The system and user cooperate to provide a learning opportunity for the user. As the user makes or reviews changes of basic elements, he or she can learn how different aspects of an element affect the overall interactions. Two specific embodiments are disclosed. In a first embodiment, the system is used for exploring geometric patterns. The basic elements are tiles which are formed and manipulated through operations of geometric symmetry. The tiles can be combined into different repeating patterns. Multiple tiles can be used within a pattern. Also, new tiles can be created from portions of the pattern. Thus through simple interactions using basic operations and simple parts, complex effects emerge. In a second embodiment, the system is used for exploring a sociodynamic system.

Abstract: A educational device for teaching art including a base member having a generally rectangular configuration. The base member has a planar upper surface and a planar lower surface. The base member has a raised peripheral border disposed around a periphery of the upper surface thereof. The upper surface has a plurality of slots formed therein inwardly of the raised peripheral border and within a central portion thereof. A plurality of wall members extend upwardly from the upper surface of the base member inwardly of the raised peripheral border. Each of the wall members have tabs extending downwardly from lower ends thereof for being received within the slots of the base member. Upper ends of the wall members are secured together by clips. A pair of interior wall members extend inwardly from the wall members. The interior wall members are secured to the plurality of wall members by clips.

Abstract: A unique painting process and an associated kit including the materials required for practicing the method. The method includes the acts of preparing a protective covering on a work surface, preparing a background media by placing it on the protective covering on the work surface, placing a reservoir on the protective covering, filling the reservoir with a paint, dipping the posterior of the infant in the paint, and stamping the posterior on the background media to create stamping prints.

Abstract: A coloring kit project for children producing magnetic frames for photographs and art work. The frame is composed of a flexible magnetic material suitable having designs for coloring or decoration which will adhere to a ferrous surface such as the door of a refrigerator. The invention focus is in particular on a magnetic frame kit composed of a plurality of printed outlines of frames with designs on a single sheet of flexible magnetic material and a plurality of decorative elements on a single sheet of flexible magnetic material which will magnetically adhere to either a magnetic frame or to a ferrous surface. Children will cut the magnetic frames and the decorative elements from the respective magnetic frame kit material sheets, will color the respective designs and use the resulting frame to display art work.

Abstract: Described herein is a collaborative drawing device having a support surface configured to support a drawing medium for drawing thereupon by a human user. The drawing device includes a printer that prints prepared graphics on the drawing medium and a scanner that scans documents that have been printed, drawn by hand, and annotated by hand.

Abstract: The present invention is a book having (a) a front cover, a back cover and a spline, forming an outer portion of a book; (b) a plurality of pages affixed within the outer portion of the book and containing a plurality of words constituting a text; (c) at least one page being a three-dimensional hollow frame structure with its front being at least partially made of see-through material. The frame structure is divided into an upper section and a lower section, separated by a wall having at least one connecting orifice, and containing a trap mechanism at each of said at the connecting orifice, and including a lever functionally connected to the trap mechanism. There is also a plurality of bead-like structures contained within the upper section of said frame structure, having a sufficient shape and size to flow via gravity through the connecting orifice of the upper section to the lower section when a user actuates the lever with the book in a substantially upright position.

Abstract: An educational electronic baby mat having means for auditory and visual responses to user motion or pressure stimuli including a top layer having a plurality of symbols inscribed on a plurality of light transmitting zones adapted to be compressed by a baby or child thereby impacting middle layer light diffusers. The light diffusers impact electrical conducting contacts that impinge upon contact points located within electrical circuits on a flexible printed circuit board to activate indicator lights and auditory recitations associated with each compressed symbol. Alternatively, a motion sensor detects a baby or child's movements and preprogrammed sound and visual responses indicating the identity of top layer symbols are activated.

Abstract: A pattern cutting apparatus for paper margin, is characterized by having a plurality of lower mold holes of perforate pattern disposed in alignment and paralleled to the distal end of a cutting space, and guide mold holes sharing the common shape with the lower mold holes disposed on a protruding portion of a guide mold board positioned in spaced parallel relationship above said lower mold holes for inserting an upper mold body sharing the common shape.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a kit for use at childrens' parties or other special occasions; for example, birthday parties. The kit includes a T-shirt or similar article of clothing with pre-printed indicia, indicating the nature of the occasion or displaying a company's logo or other identifying phrases. The pre-printed indicia may also include directions for using the kit as described following. The kit includes a variety of fabric paints, a backing material to prevent the paints from bleeding through the fabric, brushes, markers and the like suitable for use on fabrics, and instructions. The purpose of the kit is to allow the participants at the special occasion to decorate the shirt with their handprints as a keepsake of the occasion.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for collecting data. The apparatus is particularly, but not exclusively, applicable for the diagnosing of eye disorders. The apparatus contains a rack (1) having a plurality of engagement positions and a plurality of counters (5) for the rack (1), each counter (5) being engageable in any one of the engagement positions. Each counter (5) contains a specific, unique, electrical attribute which enables a detector included within the apparatus to detect and therefore process the data relating to the value of the electrical attribute of each counter (5).

Abstract: A support material for a painting comprises a substrate, e.g. of paper or card, having on regions thereof a removable masking material to provide pictorial content and to define non-masked regions of substrate which provide a surface for receiving and retaining paint, wherein the masking material is provided on the substrate in the form of a printed layer, applied for instance by screen printing. The preferred masking material is applied as a latex-based fluid and is removable from the substrate by an eraser after application of a water-based paint wash to the entire substrate surface. Optionally the subsequently unmasked regions can be painted to provide additional pictorial detail.

Abstract: A customized paper doll is disclosed. The doll comprises a head portion and a body portion; the head portion comprises a reduced-size replica of a portrait bearing the facial likeness of a person recognizable to the child who is to play with the doll. A method for producing the customized doll is also enclosed.

Abstract: A kit for creating artwork such as sand painting is provided having a front cover, a back cover, and an interposed spine. The spine spaces the front and back cover when folded into a book form. The back cover extends outwardly beyond the front cover when folded and has a container mounted thereon which retains a series of dispensers therein. A booklet is mounted to the inside of one of the covers and an envelope is mounted to the inside of the other cover. A plurality of drawing sheets are provided having a base and a cover sheet. The base has a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive which is removably covered by the cover sheet. The cover sheet has perforations to define a plurality of removable portions. Each dispenser has a plurality of small color particles of a pre-selected color.

Abstract: A grid structure having openings of various shapes are utilized in a display using balloons. Balloons are inserted in openings in the grid structure and inflated. The pneumatic pressure of the inflated balloon holds the balloon in the grid opening. The balloons may arrayed to produce designs of animate and inanimate objects. The displays may be in a single two dimensional plane, or the grid structure may be bent and twisted in a desired shape to provide a three dimensional display.

Abstract: A novel craft art form product, system and method including patterns, paint, and applicators enables craft paint to form three-dimensional color bead matrix patterns having high degree of visual resolution and color saturation. Precisely located and closely spaced geometric shapes associated with a set of color symbols are used to form matrix designs in patterns. Each symbol represents an artistic expression which is assigned to a particular color. Each color symbol has a color darkness value which may also correspond to the darkness value of the assigned color. The craft paint material has the characteristics of forming a discrete substantially uniform and homogeneous, three-dimensional bead to overlay the color symbol associated with each geometric shape. The craft paint material can form discrete beads placed closely together without running together, yet retain sufficient fluidity to settle into smooth, substantially uniform beads.

Abstract: There is disclosed a soap forming toy including a shaving mechanism for removing thin leafs or small pieces from an existing piece of solid soap. The thin leafs of solid soap are then mixed with water to produce a paste-like soap material. The paste-like soap material is then molded into a variety of appealing shapes to produce new bars of soap of interest to the child. The cavity of each of the molds is made from a soft resin which includes a mold release oil to simplify removing the new bar of soap.

Abstract: A three-dimensional balloon display comprising a grid array comprised of at least one set of grid members, each set of grid members having a front side and a back side. The grid members are each shaped to form a compartment for receipt of at least one inflated balloon. The compartments have an interior side and an exterior side. An inflated balloon is maintained in the compartment by the pneumatic pressure within the inflated balloon exerted against the interior side of the compartment to create the three-dimensional display. In an alternative embodiment, a second set of grid members is aligned with the first set of grid members to create a three-dimensional compartment for receipt of the inflated balloon.

Abstract: An image generating apparatus for preparing a drawing using an image display apparatus. The image generating apparatus has a power source turn-on detection unit for instructing starting of an image forming program for forming a series of consecutive images previously stored in a ROM. When the power turn-on detection unit detects power source turn-on, a power turn-on detection signal is transmitted via an I/O interface to a central processing unit, which then reads a demonstration program from the ROM to start displaying the demonstration image on a display. When the coordinate detection unit and the key switch pressing detecting unit detect the pressure information on buttons on a tablet and key switches, the pressure information is transmitted via the I/O interface to the central processing unit.

Abstract: A luminescent screen image making toy includes a generally planar luminescent screen having a luminescent surface defined thereon. A light unit includes an elongated housing supporting a directed light beam source and a strobe light unit. The strobe light unit and directed light beam source are constructed in accordance with conventional fabrication techniques and are utilized in providing either large are short duration illumination of the luminescent surface of the screen or small area light spot illumination suitable for writing or drawing activities.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of constructing an arts and crafts project using a water soluble composition of low density to make a plurality of child-safe articles. The invention is used for forming toys or construction materials for use in playing a game, constructing arts and crafts projects, or used as building blocks. The composition of the articles used in the invented method preferably comprises a matrix principally made from a food starch supplemented with polyalkylene glycol or a derivative thereof. Alternatively, the composition used in the invented method may also comprise a mixture of a grain, a biodegradable binding agent and water. The composition can be extruded in a sheet-like form, with the sheets being cut and bonded together through the application of water to create an art project. By applying water or moisture, the pieces formed by the invented method can be easily bonded together to create the desired article.

Abstract: A method of producing a decorative plate is provided, in which a substrate of a foamed plastic plate is prepared, and slits of a predetermined pattern are formed. Then, the slits are widened for firmly receiving a flexible thin tape to form a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: An activity toy for allowing the user to form artworks from a plastic material such as modeling clay, PLAY-DOH, or plasticene has hand-held extruder for dispensing the plastic material, a first plate upon which the plastic material is disposed so as to form the artwork, and a transparent second plate disposable in laminar juxtaposition to the first plate so as to capture the artwork therebetween.

Abstract: A painting system made up of a porous substrate sheet mounted on an impermeable support, the sheet having preformed therein a picture in outline, the outline being waterproof barrier bands which thereby form discrete segments within the porous sheet, there being disposed in the sheet a multiplicity of concentrated dye spots whereby addition of water to the porous sheet causes dissolution of the individual dye spots and migration of dissolved dye within each segment of the porous sheet to the limits set by the aforementioned barrier bands, ultimately forming the picture that had been outlined in the porous sheet by the barrier bands.

Abstract: A craft art form product, system and method including patterns, paint, and applicators enables craft paint to form three-dimensional color bead matrix patterns having high degree of visual resolution and color saturation. Precisely located and closely spaced geometric shapes associated with a set of color symbols are used to form matrix designs in patterns. Each symbol represents an artistic expression which is assigned to a particular color. Each color symbol has a color darkness value which may also correspond to the darkness value of the assigned color. The craft paint material has the characteristics of forming a discrete substantially uniform and homogeneous, three-dimensional bead to overlay the color symbol associated with each geometric shape. The craft paint material can form discrete beads placed closely together without running together, yet retain sufficient fluidity to settle into smooth, substantially uniform beads. A fine tip applicator applies the craft paint material to each geometric shape.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a tube for inserting into an egg having one hole in the shell. The tube extends into the shell through the egg yoke and egg white until one end contacts the inside surface of the shell opposite the hole. The tube is connected to a squeeze bulb air supply. A chute is positioned below the hole around the tube. When the squeeze bulb is squeezed air is supplied to exit the one end inside the shell. The air causes the content of the egg yoke and egg white to flow out the hole around the tube into the chute. In the alternative embodiment the end of the tube is formed with an air relief to facilitate air flow into the shell when the end of the tube is in contact with the inside surface of the shell. The empty egg shell is then used for "Egg Art".